"The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
-- Verse from the Minstrel Boy

An emotionally stirring and inspirational song, The Minstrel Boy was written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) who set it to the melody of The Moreen, and old Irish aire. It is believed by many that Moore composed the song as a memorial to several of his friends he had met while a student at Trinity College and who had participated in the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen. One died in prison, another was wounded, and a third captured and hung. The song originally consisted of two verses. Due to its popularity, the song was a favorite of the many Irishmen who fought during the U.S. Civil War, primarily on the Union side. It was at this time that a third verse was added by unknown authors:

"The Wounded" My favorite Episode of ST:TNG He sang a Duet with Capt. Ben Maxwell of the U.S.S. Phoenix. A version of this song can also be found on the Black Hawk Down soundtrack as it is over the end credits of that movie.

The WOunded was a great episode. Also the version of this song on Black Hawk Down soundtrack is the best. It was on a cd returned with my songs belongings from Iraq. I felt it appropriate to name the blog the MinstrelBoy. It said so much to those that understand.

I first heard and fell in love with this song back in the 60's or early 70's, from an LP - Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers - a group that specialized in all kinds of Gaelic folk songs. In my early exposure to music there was a kind of musical duel,(good-natured, of course), between my parents and us kids - the Clancy brothers vs. the Beatles.

Apart from the great movie Black Hawk Down, the Minstrel Boy was a fitting final song. I mean the lyrics just leave a lasting impression of everything we fight for. It reminds us that war is fought for a reason and at a cost. A cost that is at times too high and a reason too low.

abjwcI just discovered this song, about six moths ago, on the FDNY pipes and drums CD. It's the last selection, "a capella". I googled for the lyrics and found this site. Then found the music on the Blackhawk Down soundtrack. I'm listening to the long version on my headphones as I write. First time I saw the movie,I was so emotionally involved with the action that I couldn't separate the soundtrack. I think that's a good indication of an effective, and affecting, soundtrack. Now when I listen to the soundtrack, images and emotions from the movie overcome me. Images and emotions from my Vietnam experience overcome me as well. I'm crying over the guys that died both times I was wounded, and the other buddies that died around me. I'm crying for the two nicest guys in my high school class (1961) who died in N. Vietnam and Cambodia. They were all good "Minstrel Boys" I'm weeping for the men and women dying in Iraq and Afganistan, and ashamed that my govt. has sent the lambs to a slaughter. Bless them

This was my daughter's favorite song. We played it at her funeral last month when we laid her to rest. She was just 28-years old and there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. VR, Maj. Scott Price, USAR (Ret.)

A song that every generation of any nationality or faith will find emotionally and mentally stirring. It embodies the spirit of fighting for a cause, for home, for those you love, and brings the reality of the cost of such fights home. We will never forget. May Gaia bless and watch over you.

Thanks for the background - I remember that tune sticking with me when I heard it on TNG, and it came back today (March 27, 2009) when pipes and drums played it at the memorial ceremony for the 4 Oakland Policemen killed this week.

Gone are the days!! I'm only 55 but we used to sing this song in 'Music lessons' at Ulverston Lightbowne School. it was a regular amongst a lot of other traditional songs that faded out because of our reluctance to embrace our heritage. Then people begin to realise what we've 'lost'.

the minstrel boy to the war is gone in the ranks of death you'll find him.His father's sword he has girded on and his wild harp slung behind him.BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHAT EVER!!!!

No. The track at the end of Black Hawk Down, as stated above, was arranged and performed by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, another version of which can be found on their previously released album, Global A Go-Go. Both are beautiful versions performed by one of the greatest musicians of our time.

This song makes me sad and angry. My uncle was killed in the battle of Mogadishu of October 3 1993 other wise known as Black Hawk Down. RIP Srg. Lorenzo Ruiz KIA October 3 1993. Lost Convoy I will never forget those men who sacrafised everthing that day.

The Minstrel Boy is one of my favorites. Someone posted that Sean Connery sings this song near the end of "The Man Who Would Be King." This is incorrect. While the melody is the Moreen (The Minstrel Boy) the words he sings are from the great Lutheran hymnn "The Son of God Goes Forth To War."

The Minstrel Boy is one of those beautiful sentimental songs that only the Irish can write.

Someone posted that Sean Connery sings this song at the end of "The Man Who Would Be King." This is incorrect. While the melody his sings is the Moreen (The Minstrel Boy), the lyrics that Connery recites is from the great Lutheran hymn "The Son of God Goes Forth To War."

I first Heard the song walking on to the battel field at my first Gettysburg national event.I am a civil war reenactor and I had joind a group of Irish bragade reenactors, who started singing as we marched. I can't discribe how it affected me in that setting as we marched out to our (albeit fake)deaths. It made me appreciate the effect music can have to inspier people.

The Documentary movie "The Undefeated" from Hollywood producer Steve Bannon about the life and many accomplishments of Sarah Palin and the inane baseless vitriol that has been directed her way includes this song in the beginning of the movie. It is my favorite rendition of this song as it is very simple, only a mountain dulcimer or guitar and a child or soft female voice singing it. The song is played again at the end of the movie but in a much more modern style which for me is no where near as nice as the beginning version. It is a very appropriate accompianment for the movie which sets the record straight about Sarah. A very compelling story showing how she is head and shoulders above any other politician today on either side of the aisle. 2012, the end of an error.

My Father taught me this song and many other Irish rebel songs when I was a child in 50s Liverpool. My Father was a Wexford man and his Grandfather is buried next to a 98 man in Ardcavan cemetry Wexford Town. I still find it ironic that my grandfather, father, myself and my son all served in the British armed forces in 2 world wars and other more recent conflicts. Espescially as the minstrel boy was written as a result of the Irish rebellion against the British of 1798.I confess I did not know the 3rd verse which was an add on by The Irish who fought in the American Civil war. God bless all who serve in the armed forces and my respects to brian T Hart. Brian E O'Shaughnessy Liverpool

I cannot imagine your pain. I grieve with you brother. This song is so special I included it in the music played before my retirment ceremony. Bless your daughter. I see her sitting on a bench with my mother and grandmother chatting about their soldier fathers and sons. My God Bless you my brother.MAJ Bill Cussins

Hello everybodyI would like to open on how this song is something I love, and also how I do feel for those who have lost.

Though I do find it hard sometimes to see a song like this, about a group of people defending their home to the last against an invader, being hijacked by those who have now become the invader.The soldier on the ground, though i do not blame him for what he does, is more times than not, not there for what they believe themselves, but what those with more power than them think will bring them more power.

This song is about those that stand opposed to the "lords" and the imperialists. It is for those mean and women around the world who have fought for freedom, who have defended their homelands against those who would despoil it. ( and for those poor fools who have been hoodwinked into trying to kill them)

Gods Blessing on those that die.Gods forgiveness to those bastards that send them there( i ask no apologies for my language there)

Wesley said...Sean Connery and Michael Caine sing this song in the end of "The Man Who Would Be King" while standing on a rope bridge above a chasm while the Afgans chopped the ropes to send them to their deaths.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

They don't sing this in The Man Who would be King. It's the same tune but the words are from a hymn. Also only Danny (Sean Connery) is on the bridge and falls to his death. Peachy (Micheal Caine) lives to tell the tail.

Here are the words to the hymn:

The Son of God goes forth to war,A kingly crown to gain;His blood red banner streams afar:Who follows in His train?Who best can drink his cup of woe,Triumphant over pain,Who patient bears his cross below,He follows in His train.

That martyr first, whose eagle eyeCould pierce beyond the grave;Who saw his Master in the sky,And called on Him to save.Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,In midst of mortal pain,He prayed for them that did the wrong:Who follows in His train?

A glorious band, the chosen fewOn whom the Spirit came;Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,And mocked the cross and flame.They met the tyrant’s brandished steel,The lion’s gory mane;They bowed their heads the death to feel:Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,The matron and the maid,Around the Savior’s throne rejoice,In robes of light arrayed.They climbed the steep ascent of Heav’n,Through peril, toil and pain;O God, to us may grace be given,To follow in their train.

Just googled the lyrics for the song and your blog came up. Also, just wanted to thank you for your son's service. Unlike our government officials, he is a true American hero. It's people like him who make this country free. I hope he will not have died for nothing. God bless you!

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure,

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

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I first heard and fell in love with this song back in the 60's or early 70's, from an LP - Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers - a group that specialized in all kinds of Gaelic folk songs. In my early exposure to music there was a kind of musical duel,(good-natured, of course), between my parents and us kids - the Clancy brothers vs. the Beatles. China Sourcing

I remember my great-grandmother O'Neil singing this song on St. Patrick's day "In memory of those that died in the 'TROUBLES'". Her first verse went like this: THE MINSTREL BOY TO THE WAR HAS GONE, IN THE RANK OF DEATH YOU WILL NOW FIND HIM, HIS FATHER'S ARMOR HE HAS GIRDED ON, AND HIS ONE TRUE LOVE HE'S LEFT BEHIND HIM. DAY IS DONE AND THE WAR'S BEGUN, WE ALL SING TUNES OF GLORY, FOR THOSE OF US WHO MUST SOLDIER ON WITH BUT ONE PURE HARP TO TELL THE STORY" (She called Ireland a land of tragic live and happy warriors)--- In the 50's there was a TV show called "Captain Video" that used an fife and drum version as it's theme song. In the movie Gettysburg there a great version as the Union troops pray before battle

Thanks for the background - I remember that tune sticking with me when I heard it on TNG, and it came back today (March 27, 2009) when pipes and drums played it at the memorial ceremony for the 4 Oakland Policemen killed this week.

The Vets returning from combat must be welcomed as servants of peace and freedom. All people everywhere need someone to fight for their humanity against tyranny. Viet Nam vets who enlisted and hoped for people to be free were killed, betrayed by weak people with destructive philosophies at home. SF !

'Tis terrible loyalty to faith and hope that always shows someone young and hopeful in the following,

Down the crimson road of giving of all himself for the freedoms of his own others,

Is always made loss by the warm salted wine of lying lords and princes.

'Tis but boys who see the truth of hope and life in freedom thru eyes and hearts so pure, techno

Who are owed debts to deep to grand yet in the still are soon forgotten.

There is a splendid rendition of this lovely song that has been posted on You Tube, under the reference of "Gounod Serenade Version 2". It is played on a large Polyphon Mikado music box. I think that most people will enjoy it!

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This song is hauntingly played by John McCutcheon in his song "Christmas in the Trenches." I heard it again in a special about troops from Bedford County Virginia killed at D-Day and later. Absolutely one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

This lyric is about a young man's love for his harp and the songs he can play on it. It's about daring to give ones life for freedom. It is NOT about politics, the IRA, the planes, guns and fighting men in Blackhawk down.

Conery and Caine sing THE SON OF MAN GOES FORTH TO WAR. Kipling refers to this song a soliders hymn. "The Son of Man goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain. His blood red banner streams afar; who follows in his train? Who best can drind his cup of woe, Triumphat over pain, Who paitent bears his cross below, He follows in his train."

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